Is it possible ?

Richsterr

Hey
Is it possible to survive non hodgkins lymphoma for thirty years or so.?
Does anybody know of someone who has? Even twenty years. Tahnks

Richsterr

allmost60

Hard to say for sure...
Hi Rick,
I think we've covered this topic before, but from my understanding, it is possible to live many years with this type of cancer, but certain things have to be taken into consideration. Age..NHLsub-type...general overall health, response to treatments, etc. It's not cureable, but it can certainly be treated for many, many years. You need to have a good sit down conversation with your Oncologist and ask him about your own personal NHL situation. If you are doing good and in fairly good health and have responded to first line treatments, the odds are good for a fairly smoothe road in keeping things in check. Maybe others in the group can add further comments. I'm 60 years old and don't know when this disease will get me, but then again, I don't know when or if I'll get hit by a truck either, so I just take it one day at a time. Take care...Sue (FNHL-2-3a-6/10)

Richsterr

allmost60 said:

Hard to say for sure...
Hi Rick,
I think we've covered this topic before, but from my understanding, it is possible to live many years with this type of cancer, but certain things have to be taken into consideration. Age..NHLsub-type...general overall health, response to treatments, etc. It's not cureable, but it can certainly be treated for many, many years. You need to have a good sit down conversation with your Oncologist and ask him about your own personal NHL situation. If you are doing good and in fairly good health and have responded to first line treatments, the odds are good for a fairly smoothe road in keeping things in check. Maybe others in the group can add further comments. I'm 60 years old and don't know when this disease will get me, but then again, I don't know when or if I'll get hit by a truck either, so I just take it one day at a time. Take care...Sue (FNHL-2-3a-6/10)

Thanks Sue
Sue
Thanks for your reponse. I had lymphoma when I was 62 last year. I reponded very
well to treatment and feel just fine now. Like I was never sick. I see what you are saying
It is an individual thing. It depends on your life style, how well you repond to treatment and other factors. I guess I am looking for answers that arent there. I was just wondering though if anyone knew of anyone who survived 20 or 30 years and if it was
possible to die from natural causes rather than lymphoma? I am doing terriffic how about you? Let me know

Richard

allmost60

Richsterr said:

Thanks Sue
Sue
Thanks for your reponse. I had lymphoma when I was 62 last year. I reponded very
well to treatment and feel just fine now. Like I was never sick. I see what you are saying
It is an individual thing. It depends on your life style, how well you repond to treatment and other factors. I guess I am looking for answers that arent there. I was just wondering though if anyone knew of anyone who survived 20 or 30 years and if it was
possible to die from natural causes rather than lymphoma? I am doing terriffic how about you? Let me know

Richard

They say...
Hi Rick,
Well you know, I have read quite a few articles on NHL and what I seem to see repeated over and over again is that each one of us is different and unique in our own way, but bottom line, this cancer is very treatable and our quality of life can be pretty good if we respond well to the treatment protocols first prescribed for us. Also, there is alot of good information to support future treatment protocols, if and when we should relapse. In other words...there is another door to choose from...not a dead end. The new reports I'm reading...2010-2011 are now saying 15 to 18 years possible with good response to treatments. I have read where folks have lived 20 plus years, but didn't have information on their exact sub-type of NHL or all of the other pertinent information that would shed light if their situation was "eaxactly" like mine. Thats the deal Rick with type of cancer...we may have the same type, grade and stage, but other individual health issues unique to us alone have to be figured in. Smoking, drinking, over weight, temperment, home life, environement..etc, etc. Anyways...to answer your question..I'm doing "fairly terrific"...still have a few aches and pains and a bit of fatigue I'm not thrilled about. With that being said, my overall health is pretty darn good. I get Rituxan maint infusions every other month for the next two years..(June 20th my 3rd dose), so thats kind of a drag, but if it keeps me stable for the next 2 years, then it will be worth it. Thanks for asking Rick...glad to hear your doing so well. Like I said before...take it one day at a time and just try to be as positive as possible...God will decide when it's our time to leave this earth..(my opinion).. so why fuss and worry about how many years we have left...ya know? Take care...Sue

COBRA666

allmost60 said:

Hard to say for sure...
Hi Rick,
I think we've covered this topic before, but from my understanding, it is possible to live many years with this type of cancer, but certain things have to be taken into consideration. Age..NHLsub-type...general overall health, response to treatments, etc. It's not cureable, but it can certainly be treated for many, many years. You need to have a good sit down conversation with your Oncologist and ask him about your own personal NHL situation. If you are doing good and in fairly good health and have responded to first line treatments, the odds are good for a fairly smoothe road in keeping things in check. Maybe others in the group can add further comments. I'm 60 years old and don't know when this disease will get me, but then again, I don't know when or if I'll get hit by a truck either, so I just take it one day at a time. Take care...Sue (FNHL-2-3a-6/10)

20 plus yr. survival
Rick,
Check out Bluerose. She is on this board. She is a 20 plus year survivor. John

Richsterr

allmost60 said:

They say...
Hi Rick,
Well you know, I have read quite a few articles on NHL and what I seem to see repeated over and over again is that each one of us is different and unique in our own way, but bottom line, this cancer is very treatable and our quality of life can be pretty good if we respond well to the treatment protocols first prescribed for us. Also, there is alot of good information to support future treatment protocols, if and when we should relapse. In other words...there is another door to choose from...not a dead end. The new reports I'm reading...2010-2011 are now saying 15 to 18 years possible with good response to treatments. I have read where folks have lived 20 plus years, but didn't have information on their exact sub-type of NHL or all of the other pertinent information that would shed light if their situation was "eaxactly" like mine. Thats the deal Rick with type of cancer...we may have the same type, grade and stage, but other individual health issues unique to us alone have to be figured in. Smoking, drinking, over weight, temperment, home life, environement..etc, etc. Anyways...to answer your question..I'm doing "fairly terrific"...still have a few aches and pains and a bit of fatigue I'm not thrilled about. With that being said, my overall health is pretty darn good. I get Rituxan maint infusions every other month for the next two years..(June 20th my 3rd dose), so thats kind of a drag, but if it keeps me stable for the next 2 years, then it will be worth it. Thanks for asking Rick...glad to hear your doing so well. Like I said before...take it one day at a time and just try to be as positive as possible...God will decide when it's our time to leave this earth..(my opinion).. so why fuss and worry about how many years we have left...ya know? Take care...Sue

Wow
Sue
It is phenomenal how similiar our situations are. I too am on
rituxin for two months periods. Also I have no other condition and
did well on chemo. Today I fell like I was never sick. The only
exception is I too also get a little tired every once in a while but
when I rest for 10 minutes or so I feel good. Thanks for the reply ,
you really cleared up alot of issues for me. I bet in a few years they
will come up with better drugs to treat this disease. Ok hope you are
doing well and thanks alot again.

Richard

JoanieP

Richsterr said:

Wow
Sue
It is phenomenal how similiar our situations are. I too am on
rituxin for two months periods. Also I have no other condition and
did well on chemo. Today I fell like I was never sick. The only
exception is I too also get a little tired every once in a while but
when I rest for 10 minutes or so I feel good. Thanks for the reply ,
you really cleared up alot of issues for me. I bet in a few years they
will come up with better drugs to treat this disease. Ok hope you are
doing well and thanks alot again.

Richard

Richard.
I was diagnosed in 2009 with follicular stage 3. I responded very well to R CHOP. I was told by Moffet in Tampa, Fl that rituxin maintenance gave me a 80% chance of not getting it back for 7 to 9 years. I have also heard they consider it a chronic disease. I am having my last treatment of Rituxin on June 30th. I feel fine and thank God for every day. The new thing is immuntherpy. I think it uses our own cells. I heard there is very promisiong things on the horizon. I know someone who had NHL 14 years ago w/o any relaspe. I am 64

forme

JoanieP said:

Richard.
I was diagnosed in 2009 with follicular stage 3. I responded very well to R CHOP. I was told by Moffet in Tampa, Fl that rituxin maintenance gave me a 80% chance of not getting it back for 7 to 9 years. I have also heard they consider it a chronic disease. I am having my last treatment of Rituxin on June 30th. I feel fine and thank God for every day. The new thing is immuntherpy. I think it uses our own cells. I heard there is very promisiong things on the horizon. I know someone who had NHL 14 years ago w/o any relaspe. I am 64

Last treatment
Hi Joanie,

Wow, your last tx. Thats so great. All the best to you for a long long remission. Enjoy your tx free summer.

Thinking of you
Lisha

bluerose

I did and am.
I am a 25 year non hodgkins survivor. Had an autologus bone marrow transplant 23 years ago after a recurrance a year and a bit before. Have been cured but do have many after effects of treatments.

There are many out there who are past 20 years after non hodgkins lymphoma. Keep the faith, it's entirely possible.

Blessings,

Bluerose

JoanieP

forme said:

Last treatment
Hi Joanie,

Wow, your last tx. Thats so great. All the best to you for a long long remission. Enjoy your tx free summer.

Thinking of you
Lisha

Hi Lisha
How are you doing? Do you have any summer plans? Are you going back to the hospital that you have to fly to. Sorry I can't remember where. School is out and this is my first official day off. I am going birthday shopping for my daughter who will be 38. Boy I must be OLD:) How old are your children? grandchildren?

Richsterr

JoanieP said:

Richard.
I was diagnosed in 2009 with follicular stage 3. I responded very well to R CHOP. I was told by Moffet in Tampa, Fl that rituxin maintenance gave me a 80% chance of not getting it back for 7 to 9 years. I have also heard they consider it a chronic disease. I am having my last treatment of Rituxin on June 30th. I feel fine and thank God for every day. The new thing is immuntherpy. I think it uses our own cells. I heard there is very promisiong things on the horizon. I know someone who had NHL 14 years ago w/o any relaspe. I am 64

Nice to hear
Joanie
I too went to the Moffet center in Tampa and the doctor told
me very similar things that you said. In fact she told me she has seen
strange things where the lymphoma never cam back. Thanks for the encouraging
news . I dont even think about it anymore except when I go to the doctors
for the rituxin. Again thnks for the info. You made my day.

Richard

skuttlebug

bluerose said:

I did and am.
I am a 25 year non hodgkins survivor. Had an autologus bone marrow transplant 23 years ago after a recurrance a year and a bit before. Have been cured but do have many after effects of treatments.

There are many out there who are past 20 years after non hodgkins lymphoma. Keep the faith, it's entirely possible.

Blessings,

Bluerose

Bluerose
What kind of nhl did you have and, what stage was it in. I cannot stop thinking about mine , ITS in stage4 grade2 typeb with 50 percent in my bone marrow its in remission, but I always think about it, because, I always stay sick, a lot and I always stay so tired. blessings Deinis

GesGirl81

skuttlebug said:

Bluerose
What kind of nhl did you have and, what stage was it in. I cannot stop thinking about mine , ITS in stage4 grade2 typeb with 50 percent in my bone marrow its in remission, but I always think about it, because, I always stay sick, a lot and I always stay so tired. blessings Deinis

My mom survived 29 years!
My mom was diagnosed stage 4 in 1982 and was given months to live. She fought it for many years and had a BMT in 93. The Hodgkins came back in 2000 and she had more bouts of chemo but in 2004 it went away for good. She recently passed on May 25th but it was from another cancer. It is possible to live very long.

Keep the faith!